Yesterday, March 12, King Willem-Alexander has made a working visit to the employment initiative Match Winners at the catering company De Pastorie in Roermond. He also visited two factories of the social entrepreneur Rendiz in Maasbree and Boekend that focus on daycare and activities for people with a distance to the labor market and/or disabilities.

The restoration seems to have paid of. It is such a pity that the carriage has not been used since 1966. One wonders why on earth they would show the carriage at that awful Louwman museum and not at Het Loo or even open the royal stables. But well, it is nice that the public can see the result.

The restoration seems to have paid of. It is such a pity that the carriage has not been used since 1966. One wonders why on earth they would show the carriage at that awful Louwman museum and not at Het Loo or even open the royal stables. But well, it is nice that the public can see the result.

What a stately carriage, what a beauty!

I am sure this will be used in the coming years. The restoration lasted 5 years. The Golden State Carriage is in need of a restoration as well. When that takes such a long time too, we will see this splendid Glass State Carriage in use again.

It seemed the suspension was uncomfortable, making people feel 'sea sick'. That was what the guide told in the Royal Mews in The Hague. I think with the restoration they have adapted the suspension to modern comfort.

Today the restored Glass Carriage is revealed. King Willem-Alexander did in the Louwman Museum in The Hague, where the coach the next time will be exhibited on the occasion of the celebration of 200 years of Kingdom. It is exactly 200 years ago today also that William I assumed the title "King of the Netherlands.

A short video of the beautiful carriage. What a beauty, wow.... Note that these treasures are not at all state property but placed by the royal family in special foundations. In this specific case the Glass State Carriage and all other carriages of the royal family are placed in the Stichting Kroongoederen van het Huis Oranje-Nassau (Foundation Crown Properties of the House Orange-Nassau), established in 1968.

Aim of the foundation: "To ensure that descendants of Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina, Princess of Orange-Nassau have the properties at their disposal which are deemed necessary for the execution of the Royal Dignity."

Executive of the Foundaton:
the Bearer of the Crown (His Majesty The King).

I think it is wonderful that these private properties (formally placed into a legal entity to preserve it for future generations) are so wonderfully maintained. When Queen Juliana set up these foundations, these were given a working capital. In the recent years a gala coupé, a gala berline, the gala glass berline, the crème calèche and now the Glass State Coach have been wonderfully restored. But also the new Royal Hearse (on base of another carriage) and a new flower carriage (to follow the hearse) have been created. I like it when (royal) families are so careful with their patrimonium.

A short video of the beautiful carriage. What a beauty, wow.... Note that these treasures are not at all state property but placed by the royal family in special foundations. In this specific case the Glass State Carriage and all other carriages of the royal family are placed in the Stichting Kroongoederen van het Huis Oranje-Nassau (Foundation Crown Properties of the House Orange-Nassau), established in 1968.

Aim of the foundation: "To ensure that descendants of Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina, Princess of Orange-Nassau have the properties at their disposal which are deemed necessary for the execution of the Royal Dignity."

Executive of the Foundaton:
the Bearer of the Crown (His Majesty The King).

I think it is wonderful that these private properties (formally placed into a legal entity to preserve it for future generations) are so wonderfully maintained. When Queen Juliana set up these foundations, these were given a working capital. In the recent years a gala coupé, a gala berline, the gala glass berline, the crème calèche and now the Glass State Coach have been wonderfully restored. But also the new Royal Hearse (on base of another carriage) and a new flower carriage (to follow the hearse) have been created. I like it when (royal) families are so careful with their patrimonium.

I agree it is great that all the carriages are restoured to their original splendour. But ii is strange that they are never used and can also not ben seen by the public. Was not the creme-coloured landauer also restored some time ago but never used since then?
For example the could alternate between the Golden carriage and the Glass State Coach at Prinsjesdag.

And a busy one at that.The State Visit starting today,immediatly followed by a 2 day visit to Germany on thursday and friday,on friday evening the farewell concert of Mariss Jansons at the Royal Concertgebouw,Amsterdam and the coming weekend NL.DOET..The Volunteer weekend in which TM too will participate again.

I agree it is great that all the carriages are restoured to their original splendour. But ii is strange that they are never used and can also not ben seen by the public. Was not the creme-coloured landauer also restored some time ago but never used since then?
For example the could alternate between the Golden carriage and the Glass State Coach at Prinsjesdag.

Before the restoration the Crème Caleche was used by the Prince of Orange in 1994 when he visited the World Equestrian Games, complete with mounted escorte in ceremonial uniforms et al. See picture (click on the picture to enlarge).

But indeed, it has not been used yet since the restoration. The tradition of having an open-carriage ride after Prinsjesdag is long over. The tradition to welcome visiting Soverigns with a carriage ride is long over as well. (Also in Denmark b.t.w., when Queen Beatrix visited Denmark, there was a carriage ride to Amalienborg).

The King still uses carriages anyway. In December 2013 he went to a military parade with all tralala, seated in a fantastic gala landauer. See picture.

This afternoon at 17.30 o'clock His Majesty The King has received at the Eikenhorst:

- Mr G.A. van der Steur LL.M., nominated by the Prime Minister for an appointment as Minister of Security and Justice;
- Dr K.H.D.M. Dijkhoff LL.M., nominated by the Prime Minister for an appointment as State Secretary (Deputy Minister) of Security and Justice.

By Royal Decree both gentlemen were appointed by the King. Minister Van der Steur and, after him, State Secretary Dijkhoff then were invested by the King.

Picture:His Majesty The King
Mr C. Breedveld, the director of the King's Cabinet
Mr G.A. van der Steur, the new Minister of Security and Justice